Medicare has enough sustainability problems when used by the book, so the government-subsidized healthcare plan is in no position to absorb massive fraud. In an effort to rein in misuse of the program, federal agents led a 400-plus agency national sting operation that yielded 91 arrests of alleged fraudsters.

USA Today reports suspects were accused of billing for phantom services, trading kickbacks for beneficiary numbers and money laundering. One of the hottest spots for Medicare fraud was Miami, where 45 suspects were accused of false billing. One healthcare provider allegedly paid patients to say they received care they did not.

Healthcare fraud prosecutions are on the upswing, on pace to see an 85 percent increase over last year.

Medicare fraud sting results in 91 arrests nationwide [USA Today]

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